Thoughts and have you ever?

[Ace Lungger]

This question isn't ment to make anyone upset, or to think that I am stupuder than I am When I was Big Game Hunting, there was only one type of rifles for me, and that was the Ruger # 1, I owned several differnt cals. I don't hunt anymore and those rifles are long gone. But they shot so well (better than any other rifle i ever shot) that I feel in love with Single shot rifles! Now that I have a lot of time on my hands, I read a lot and dream a lot, and i allways want rifles that I should of bought 20 years ago (like the rest of us)! But who had the extra money back then?? There are so many single Shot actions I want, I would have to build a new house to put them in, and have to win the Power Ball to buy them!
Now to my question, I saw a gun the other day that just floated my boat! Please don't laugh to hard It was a Snider Twist Lock reworked shot gun, they call them Zulu, and in my 1986 collector guide it said it was worth $36.00 I am sure there were lots of them and some very crappy ones! As I read, a lot of those were reworked in the USA using a lot of the Civil War Twist lock parts. This gun doesn't need restocked, has nice checkering, and all the metal is great! I was just wondering you guys thoughts, and if I had it made into a rifle it would be in 32-40 Black Powder only.
I realy hope that someone will take the time to give me there thoughts on this gun?
ACE

[Professor Marvel]

Greetings My Dear Ace -

The Snider Conversion was one of the many early breechlock conversion devices that were invented during the transition days from muzzleloaders to cartridge. Nearly all were designed as a cheap and fast method for various governments to convert the large stocks of existing ML longarms to cartridge. Some were better than others, some were incredibly ingenious, most were only "adequate" at best.

Trials showed the early British Snider conversions of the .577 rifled musket were more accurate than the caplocks, and of course achieved a faster rate of fire. In the hands of the common infantryman, a cartridge rifle will often show better accuracy than a ML partially due to consistant bullet seating issues. Unfortunately as the Snider conversion starts to wear, they have the unfortunate tendancy to "open prematurely" :-(

GB made the switch to the Martini-Henry rather quickly.

The "Zulu Shotguns" were basically government surplus parts put together around an inexpensive Snider action and designed to be sold in 3rd world markets, much like the Belgium Trade Muskets. Part quality were variable, with unfortunate mixes of iron and low carbon steel, and the problem of the action "prematurely opeing" never really was overcome

As a shotgun. pressures are lower, tolerances are not very critical, and if you examine the action you may find a lot of slop.

If it is cheap enough it could be a fun project, and definitely unique!  The price of a decent barrel becomes problematic, and it could be a Silk Purse/Sow's Ear dilemma.   I would not hold out much hope for great accuracy. I actually think better accuracy can be had building a BP trapdoor rifle from parts or a BP  rifle from  "break open action" like the H&R or topper. Or you might look into the De Haas "Mr. Single Shot's Book of Rifle Plans"

just my thoughts, I hope this helps.

yhs
prof marvel

[Ace Lungger]

Professor Marvel,
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge of this shotgun! I have read on the net just about everything you said, only you added more info that was great help to me!! I had found a new 32-40 BP Cartidge Barrel for $70.00. The person that owns it what $150.00 .
Soit sounds like the gun would not make a very good rifle!! What I did like was that I was not going to have to restock, and that saves a lot of money!! I have Frank deHass book, it is the S.S.Rifle bible, but unfourtunate for me, the actons that I would love to have are so out of my budget I would never get one built.
Thank you Sir!!
ACE

[Delmonico]

I own one that's been in the family for well over a 100 years, nope i will not shoot it, a late gunsmith friend of mine said don't, the quiality of these can vary so much, yer never sure what you are getting.  He said if I like my face, just look at it.

I do know of one that broke the action with a light loaded BP load.  The guy who did it said he really should have known better, but at least he was not hurt.

[Ace Lungger]

Thanks Pards,
Del, I am the kind of guy that doesn't like to have guns I don't shoot! I have a Old 45-70 barrel coming and if I can fit it on the action, I will use one of My Lee Shavers 22 inserts! I am not sure mine is a ZULU, I just was going threw one of my old gun guides and saw the Picture, and called it a Zulu. I went to a Auction Sat. night and they had a Zulu it looked close but the stock and the breech block were a little differnt! I bid $69.00 it sold for $79.00. I am glad I didn't get it bought! It was Ugly!
I just love old Single shot rifles! but they are getting so hard to find, and are so high, the average Joe will never own one! I want a Stevens 44 1/2 real bad, but that is as far as it will go, unless I stuble across a action, then maybe someday?
Later
ACE

[Delmonico]

There are a lot of variants on these, Zulu was a trade name, mine is not marked that way:









Some had brass breech blocks, I would shoot nothing heavier in one than a 22, the things are not very safe and quality varies a lot, my understanding is the ones that are not brass are made out of un-case hardened wrought iron.

I would not shoot mine even with a light BP load, even though it was last shot in 1945 by my Great-Grandfather with smokeless loads, I just consider him very lucky.

[Colt Fanning]

I have one of these Zulu's that was made from a model 1857 French Military rifle.  It belonged to my GGrandfather, and I have
never wanted to shoot it.
I recently saw a very strange rifle with the swing out breech block like the Zulu  called a British Schofield.  It was a lever action single shot and when levered the side mounted hammer was cocked and the breech would swing open.  I was told that there are very
few of these in the US.

[Ace Lungger]

I have decided to rebarrel it in 22LR, I just like the looks of them, and the one I have is in decent shape. And for a play toy 22's are cheap to shoot. I have 3 other projects ahead of it, so I might never get to it??
Thanks for all the help guys!!
When it comes to old guns, I love them!
Del, mine isn't marked Zulu either.
Later
ACE